Method of decorating metal surfaces



Aug. 30, 1932. R.'M. ALLARD 1,874,639

METHOD OF DECORATING METAL SURFACES Filed 001;. 9. 1951 3mm" tor RMMMPatented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE p ROBERT M. ALLARD,OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY, OFLANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA METHOD OFDECORATING METAL SURFACES Application filed October 9, 1931. Serial No.567,788.

My invention relates to a method of decorating metal surfaces,particularly the "metal decks of ships. Heretofore it has beenimpossible to decorate the metal decks in a satisfactory manner. Noadequate method was lmown for putting on any satisfactory covering otherthan magiiesite or concrete. Coverings of this type must be poured orflowed on to the steel deck. This is necessarily an expensive processand adds great Weight to the finished installation.

The advantages of linoleum and similar coverings for use on metal deckshave long been recognized. However, the use of such installations hasbeen greatly restricted because of the expensive installation andfrequent replacement necessary. Installations of linoleum and similarcoverings on metal decks have been unsatisfactory because the solventfor the cement could not escape and would cause blisters in thecovering. Linoleum was also objectionable because the capillary actionof the burlap backing would cause water to get under the covering andspoil its appearance. The water under the covering would also set upcorrosion on the steel decks. This is particularly serious in view ofthe fact that the corroded areas were covered by the linoleum and wouldnot come to lightuntil the linoleum was removed.

It is an object of my invention to provide a light-weight, durable,resilient covering for metal decks. It is a further object of myinvention to providea covering that will eliminate the necessity'offrequent replacements. It is a further object of my invention to providemeans for securing such a covering to metal decks in such a manner thatthe coverlngs will remain in place until they are worn out. It is afurther object of my invention to provide a covering and a method ofapplying it to a steel deck that will eliminate corrosion of the steelunder the covering. It is a further object of my invention to provide amethod of securing such coverings to metal surfaces witha minimum amountof trouble and expense. It is a further object of my. in-. vention toprovide a method for securing such coverings in place that may beaccomplished without the necessity of exercising any great degree ofskill. Further objects of my invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which my invention-a pertains-upon reading thefollowing speci cation taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawlng.

The drawing shows'a cross section of a portion of a metal deck coveredin accordance with my invention.

In the drawing the reference numerals 10 and 11 indicate adjacent steelplates forming a part of the deck of a ship. The end 12 of the plate 10is curved upwardly so as to overlap the adjacent end of the plate 11.The two plates are riveted together as shown at 13. The rivet 13 isflush with the top surface'of the plate 10. The reference numerals 14and 15 indicate a cork base which is applied over the flat surfaces ofthe metal plates 10 and 11. The reference numeral 16 is a unit ofsimilar material shaped to accommodate the contour of the end 12 of theplate 10.-

The cork base is cemented in place on the surface of the metal plates.The metal plates are covered with a high melting point asphalt paintwhich is permitted to dry for approximately twelve hours. Although anyasphalt paint might serve if it is not subjected toextremely hotweather, I prefer to use high melting point asphalt paint because itsbonding qualities will not be impaired by even the most extreme heatconditions. After the prime coat has dried the surface is coated with amanila gum cement and the cork base is applied directly to such cement,the manila gum cement will tenaciously secure the cork base to theasphalt coating from which the solvent has been allowed to evaporate.

Instead of using the prime coat of high melting point asphalt paint anda second coat of manila gum cement, I may apply a resin cement having amineral filler and a hydrocarbon solvent directly to the metal surfaceand apply the cork base directly to the I cement. I prefer using a highmelting point asphalt as the filler and a naphtha solvent but anysuitable equivalents may be Such cement has extremely great waterresistant qualities and also hasexcellent corrosiveinhibitive qualitles.

The cement sets up hard enough to hold the cork base firmly to themembers 14 and 15. The cork base may then be sanded to form a smoothsurface to which the finishing surface may be applied. The cork baseproves a durable, waterresistant, resilient covering which provides asmooth surface for the finishing covering. The cork base effects asaving of from five to eight pounds per square foot as compared to theusual method of smoothing the deck with a magnesite covering. On a largepassenger liner this saving in weight may amount to as much as sevenhundredtons.

For the finishing covering material 17 I prefer to use linoleum tile.However, I may use cork tile, rubber tile or even asphalt tile. Thelinoleum tile I prefer to use has sufficient strength so that it doesnot require any backing material attached thereto. However, it ispossible tomse linoleum having a backing of either felt or burlap. Thefinished surface may be applied to the cork base in the same manner thatthe cork base is applied to the steel deck. However, a single coating ofmanila gum cement is sufiicient to secure the finishing surface on tothecork base.

The linoleum tile without any backing is particularly advantageous in myprocess because its smooth;back requires a minimum amount ofcement andconsequently minimizes the trouble of evaporating the solvent. In caseswhere the steel decks are con- -.structed by butting or double jogglingso as to form a smooth deck the cork base is not necessary and may beomitted. The finishing covering itself is durable, water resistantvvface was formed.

Although I have described only two specific embodiments of my inventionit will be understood that the details thereof may be varied withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I donot desire to be limited to the exact details recited except as statedin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of applyingv a covering to a metal deck surface comprisingapplying a prime coat of asphalt paint to the metal deck surface,allowing the paint to dry, applying a second coat of manila gum cementover the asphalt paint coat and applying the covering directly to thecement.

2. A method of applying a covering to an irregular metal deck surfacewhich comprises cementing a cork base to the deck to form a smoothsurface and cementing the covering material to the cork base.

3. A method of applying a covering to an irregular metal surfacecomprising cementing a cork base shaped to fit over the metal surfaceand to provide a smooth surface, applying a manila gum cement to thecork base ind applying a covering material over said ase.

4. A method of covering a metal surface which comprises cementing aplurality of cork base units over the metal surface to form asubstantially smooth surface, sanding the surface .of the cork base toremove all irregularities and cementing a covering ma terial to the corkbase.

5. A method of applying linoleum tiles to a metal surface whichcomprises covering the metal surface with a high melting point asphaltpaint, allowing the paint to dry, applying a coating of manilagum cementover the paint, applying a cork base to the cement, smoothing thesurface of the cork base, applying a manila gum cement to the smoothsurface of the cork base and securing linoleum tiles to the cork base bymeans of the manila gum cement.

6. A deck construction comprising two metal plates, one of whichoverlaps the other,

a plurality of units of preformed cork cemented to the metal plates soas to form a substantially smooth upper surface and a layer of linoleumtiles cemented to the upper surface of the cork base.

7. A deck construction comprising two metal plates joined together, apreformed cork base secured to said metal plates and a decorative,waterproof, resilient sheet covering secured to said cork base.

8. A deck construction comprising two metal plates, one of whichoverlaps the other,

.a plurality of preformed cork units fitted over said plates andcemented thereto by a resin cement having a mineral filler and ahydrocarbon solvent, said cork units providing a substantially smoothupper surface,

and a covering of decorative, resilient, waterproof material secured tosaid cork base.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set m hand.

y ROBERT M. ALLARD. I

